Adaptive beamwidth switching and beam steering in large public venue (lpv) smart antenna system

ABSTRACT

Optimal determination of wireless antenna configurations may be provided. A computing device may direct an antenna array of an Access Point (AP) to generate a wide beamwidth, to locate a cluster of two or more stations. Upon locating the cluster, the AP can narrow the beamwidth, and, with the narrower beamwidth, receive a key performance indicator (KPI) from at least one of the two or more stations in the cluster. The computing device may then generate a statistical model, based on the KPI and an antenna vector of the antenna array. Based on the statistical model, the computing device can determine a second antenna vector to optimize the KPI for one or more of the client stations. The computing device can then modify the antenna state of the AP to generate the determined antenna vector.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to wireless networks.

BACKGROUND

In computer networking, a wireless Access Point (AP) is a networkinghardware device that allows a Wi-Fi compatible client device to connectto a wired network and to other client devices. The AP usually connectsto a router (directly or indirectly via a wired network) as a standalonedevice, but it can also be an integral component of the router itself.Several APs may also work in coordination, either through direct wiredor wireless connections, or through a central system, commonly called aWireless Local Area Network (WLAN) controller.

In Large Public Venues (LPVs), for example, stadiums, concert halls,convention centers, etc., antennas are usually deployed at a few fixedlocations, e.g., near catwalks, scoreboards, etc. These antennas oftencannot be adjusted. For example, the antenna beam cannot be changedbased on the density of clients while servicing those clients. In atleast some LPVs, there is need for different Radio Frequency (RF)coverage areas depending on event. In at least some high-densityenvironments with massive crowds associated with LPVs, optimizingnetwork coverage or network throughput, based on changes in thedistribution of clients, is a tedious task. Therefore, in thesescenarios, where the density of clients changes during the event (e.g.,a game or concert), a fixed antenna pattern does not provide the optimalusage of LPV antenna(s).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this disclosure, illustrate various example of the presentdisclosure. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of wireless network environment in accordancewith aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A is a block diagram of an Access Point (AP) antenna array inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B is another block diagram of an Access Point (AP) antenna arrayin accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3A is a flow chart of a method for changing antenna parameters tooptimize antenna performance in accordance with aspects of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 3B is a flow chart of another method for changing antennaparameters to optimize antenna performance in accordance with aspects ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 4A is a block diagram of a data structure in accordance withaspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4B is another block diagram of a data structure in accordance withaspects of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a computing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overview

Optimal determination of wireless antenna configurations may beprovided. A computing device may direct a wide beamwidth, from anantenna array of an Access Point (AP), to locate a cluster of two ormore stations. Upon locating the cluster, the AP can narrow thebeamwidth, and, with the narrower beamwidth, receive a Key PerformanceIndicator (KPI) from at least one of the two or more stations in thecluster. The computing device may then generate a statistical model,based on the KPI and an antenna vector of the antenna array. Based onthe statistical model, the computing device can determine a secondantenna vector to optimize the KPI for one or more of the clientstations. The computing device can then modify the antenna state of theAP to generate the second antenna vector.

Both the foregoing overview and the following example are examples andexplanatory only, and should not be considered to restrict thedisclosure's scope, as described and claimed. Furthermore, featuresand/or variations may be provided in addition to those described. Forexample, example of the disclosure may be directed to various featurecombinations and sub-combinations described in the example.

Example

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings.Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawingsand the following description to refer to the same or similar elements.While example(s) of the disclosure may be described, modifications,adaptations, and other implementations are possible. For example,substitutions, additions, or modifications may be made to the elementsillustrated in the drawings, and the methods described herein may bemodified by substituting, reordering, or adding stages to the disclosedmethods. Accordingly, the following detailed description does not limitthe disclosure. Instead, the proper scope of the disclosure is definedby the appended claims.

Wi-Fi may be used as an access technology for indoor environments. Inpublic venues hosting events having large crowds (e.g., stadiums,convention centers, etc.), user and AP density may be high. Due to thelimited number and width of Wi-Fi channels, high user density may resultin degradation of performance of individual client device(s). Aspectsherein provide a process to adaptively switch the LPV antenna patternbased on the changes in client density. The proposed method may consistof four steps, explained hereinafter

In a first step of the automatic configuration of the AP antenna, the APor other computing system can measure the clients' parameters foroptimizing the network. This step may occur only one time at thebeginning of an event or after initial network setup. After this initialmeasurement(s), the AP or other computing system may gather parametersover time while the optimization, described below, is happening.

For this initial gathering of client parameters, the AP may switch theantenna to a wide beamwidth (e.g., at BW-3 dB; 70×20 degrees) to findclient station locations with locate services of the APs. When a higherdensity cluster of client stations is identified, the AP can then switchto a narrow beamwidth (e.g., at BW-3 dB; 25×25 degrees). The AP may thensteer the antenna beam in primary positions (e.g., −10°, 0°, 10°, etc.)offset in the horizontal plane to point the narrow beam at the cluster.The AP may then transition to the second step.

An optimization problem is considered in the second step based on someor all of the parameters gathered during the first step and this step.These parameters can include one or more of, but is not limited to:client density (for example, based on a number of client(s)/radio(s)connected to the AP), which the AP can use to determine loading andmaybe optimize a number of clients assigned to each radio; ReceivedSignal Strength Indicator (RSSI); nearest clients based on max functionfrom combination of RSSI-serving radio and auxiliary-radio combination;Angle-Of-Arrival (AOA) and/or a fast locate result to locate higherdensity clusters of clients; an adaptive cell size that may be based onclient cluster(s) and/or channel reuse through lower side lobes of theantenna; and/or throughput-per-radio, which can determine a load on theradio.

Changing antenna parameters to optimize one or more of the above orother KPIs data is the third step. The optimization approach relies onstatistical learning based on the KPIs. Using the KPI data, statisticallearning based optimization finds the functional relationship betweenthe KPI(s) and the network parameters, e.g., the antenna configuration.This statistical model is then used for the optimization interpolationwhich, in turn, provides an optimized data point for updating orrefining the statistical model. Thus, the model building and/orrefinement and optimization phases can follow each other recursively.

The optimization problem can be an optimization of a vector of antennaparameters, e.g., beamwidth, azimuth, and elevation, which is related toan objective function that is associated with a KPI or other clientparameter which is to be maximized, for example, throughput. The antennavector may also be governed by one or more constraints, which mayinclude the measured parameter described above, e.g., RSSI and/or clientdensity. Then, the optimization function can predict or estimate a bestantenna vector.

A surrogate-based optimization function, as explained above, can helpgenerate the statistical model of the function and constraints. Theoptimization can have two phases. First, an interpolation method, e.g.,Kriging interpolation, can be applied to construct a surrogate modelfrom the noisy network data. Second, a fast converging search and pollmethod can optimize the antenna vectors over the model, in a recursiveframework. Interpolation tries to predict an unknown function for theantenna vector containing the input variables and where the output isvariable. The search mechanism provides a global optimal solution forthe interpolation method, and the model is generated based on observeddata.

Once the statistical model of KPIs is generated and is then updated overtime, the AP or other computing device can solve the above optimizationproblem to find the best antenna vector. To simplify the process ofsolving this optimization problem, it may be possible to only considerdiscrete states for the antenna.

The optimization problem above can be solved “per AP” or by a“centralized” computing system. In some implementations, the limitednumber of antenna states can be selected to guarantee that the selectedantenna beamwidth does not degrade the performance of the entire networkwith respect to Radio Resource Management (RRM). In at least anotherimplementation, the optimization problem can be solved by a centralizedcomputing system, e.g., a wireless controller, to concurrently adjustthe antennas of two or more APs in a LPV. This centralized method willprovide more measurement data to better model the KPIs.

The beam of the LPV Antenna System can be steered horizontally andvertically. The gain of the antenna may be changed. Further, side lobereuse can be modified. Thus, various parameters of the antennal functionmay be changed and evaluated by the methods and systems herein. Thechanges to antenna performance can be evaluated for channel reuse, basedon client density, in certain sectors of a LPV, e.g., an arena. Then,the output of the optimization problem can be determined from one of thedefined states of the antenna.

Based on the objective function of the proposed optimization problem,the improvement of the network can vary. For instance, the optimizationof the antenna parameters can provide a more optimal allocation ofclients that are associated at a predetermined data rate requirement(e.g., higher or lower data rates) to a radio(s)/cell(s). For example,clients that are connected at higher data rates/spatial stream, e.g.,clients using 802.1 lax may be served better than clients using lowerdata rates/spatial streams, e.g., clients using 802.11ac/11n. In someimplementations, the system and methods can serve Very Important Persons(VIP) clients, for example, clients in a front row or with court sideseats, with better Quality of Service (QoS) and/or packet captureanalysis.

In a fourth step, antenna configurations are unchanged and onlyparameters of the clients are collected. When a change happens in theenvironment, e.g. an end or start of an event, and the change effectsthe density of clients significantly, the system can identify the changeby evaluating network performance, e.g., KPIs, against thresholds. Oncethe thresholds are crossed, the method may return to the second step todetermine a next best antenna vector.

A wireless environment 100 may be as shown us in FIG. 1, which may alsobe referred to as a wireless network 100. The wireless environment 100may include a Large Public Venue (LPV) 102. The LPV 102 can be an arena,a conference center, a stage, a stadium, etc. The LPV 102 may includeone or more APs 108 a and 108 b. An AP 108 may include a computingsystem as described in conjunction with FIG. 5. At least one of the APs108 may have an antenna array that may be electronically or otherwisecontrolled (e.g., without manual adjustment by a person), as describedhereinafter in conjunction with FIGS. 2A and 2B. The antennal array(s)of the AP(s) 108 can change parameters, values, and/or characteristicsof the operation of the antenna array to modify the antenna's vectorand/or other operations. For example, the antenna vector can include theantenna beamwidth, the antenna beam's direction, the antenna's beamazimuth, etc. The beamwidth may be a wide beamwidth, e.g., a 70°beamwidth, as represented by dotted line representing the wide beamwidth104, which may be produced by AP 108 a. The wide beamwidth 104 can covermore physical area of the LPV 102. In this way, the AP 108 a may searchfor one or more client devices 106 a through 106 e (which are alsoreferred to as clients 106, client Stations (STAs) 106 or simply as STAs106) to determine if a cluster 110 of client stations 106 exist.

The stations 106 may be scattered within the area of the LPV 102. Thewide beamwidth 104 can identify a cluster(s) 110 of two or morestations, for example, the cluster 110 including client stations 106 cthrough 106 f. The clusters 110 may have a higher density of stations106 in one physical area or within physical proximity of each other, forexample, within twenty feet of each other. The AP 108 a can change theantenna vector to better serve the cluster 110 of client stations 106c-106 f. Thus, the AP(s) 108 can change the beamwidth, the azimuth, thebeam elevation, etc. to provide better service to those APs 108 in thecluster 110.

FIG. 1 also represents a wireless environment 100, also referred to asthe wireless network 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless network 100may comprise an LPV 102 in which a client device 106 may roam. The LPV102 may have a corresponding plurality of wireless APs 108 that mayestablish a WLAN to provide client device(s) 106 network connectivity.The wireless network 100 may be provided in a public venue (e.g.,stadiums, convention centers, etc.). While several client devices 106are shown in FIG. 1, more or fewer client devices 106 may be used inconjunction with wireless network 100.

Site specific policies may be provisioned on a WLAN Controller (WLC) 112for the plurality of APs 108 to join wireless network 100 and to allowWLC 112 to control the wireless network 100. Consistent with examples ofthe disclosure, an AP 108 or the WLC 112 may configure the antenna arrayof one or more APs 108 to a determined antenna vector/parameters toserve a client device cluster(s) 110.

As stated above and shown in FIG. 1, wireless network 100 may compriseWi-Fi APs (i.e., first AP 108 a and/or second AP 108 b) that may beconfigured to support a wireless (e.g., Wi-Fi) hotspot. The Wi-Fihotspot may comprise a physical location where a user, operating clientdevice 106, may obtain access to wireless network 100 (e.g., Internetaccess), using Wi-Fi technology, via a WLAN using a router connected toa service provider. The wireless hotspot may comprise a physicallocation where a user, operating client device 106, may obtain access towireless network 100 (e.g., Internet access), using a wirelesstechnology, via a WLAN using a router connected to a service provider.

In other example of the disclosure, rather than APs 108, devices may beused that may be connected to a cellular network that may communicatedirectly and wirelessly with end use devices (e.g., client device 106)to provide access to wireless network 100 (e.g., Internet access). Forexample, these devices may comprise, but are not limited to, eNodeBs(eNBs) or gNodeBs (gNBs). The aforementioned cellular network maycomprise, but is not limited to, a Long Term Evolution (LTE) broadbandcellular network, a Fourth Generation (4G) broadband cellular network,or a Fifth Generation (5G) broadband cellular network, operated by aservice provider. Notwithstanding, example of the disclosure may usewireless communication protocols using, for example, Wi-Fi technologies,cellular networks, or any other type of wireless communications.

Client device 106 may comprise, but is not limited to, a phone, asmartphone, a digital camera, a tablet device, a laptop computer, apersonal computer, a mobile device, a sensor, an Internet-of-Things(IoTs) device, a cellular base station, a telephone, a remote controldevice, a set-top box, a digital video recorder, a cable modem, anetwork computer, a mainframe, a router, or any other similarmicrocomputer-based device capable of accessing and using a Wi-Finetwork or a cellular network.

The elements described above of wireless network 100 (e.g., WLC 112,first AP 108 a, second AP 108 b, etc.) may be practiced in hardware, insoftware (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.), in acombination of hardware and software, or in any other circuits orsystems. The elements of wireless network 100 may be practiced inelectrical circuits comprising discrete electronic elements, packaged orintegrated electronic chips containing logic gates (e.g., ApplicationSpecific Integrated Circuits (ASIC), Field Programmable Gate Arrays(FPGA), System-On-Chip (SOC), etc.), a circuit utilizing amicroprocessor, or on a single chip containing electronic elements ormicroprocessors. Furthermore, the elements of wireless network 100 mayalso be practiced using other technologies capable of performing logicaloperations such as, for example, AND, OR, and NOT, including but notlimited to, mechanical, optical, fluidic, and quantum technologies. Asdescribed in greater detail below with respect to FIG. 5, the elementsof wireless network 100 may be practiced in a computing device 500, alsoreferred to as a computing system 500.

An example AP 108, with an antenna array, may be as shown in FIGS. 2Aand 2B. The AP 108 can include a processing component and a radiocomponent. The radio component 200 can have one or more antennas 204a-204 d. Each AP 108 may include more than one radio component(s) 202 athrough 216 b.

FIG. 2A illustrates an example implementation of a component layout foran example antenna segment 200, according to example(s) of the presentdisclosure. Each antenna segment 200 is configured to operate anarrow-beam antenna array 202 and/or a wide-beam antenna array 214 (at agiven time). The narrow-beam antenna array 202 provides an N×N array ofantenna elements, whereas the wide-beam antenna array 214 provides a 1×Marray of antenna elements. It should be noted that, in someconfigurations, wide-beam antenna array 214 may be a part of theelements forming the narrow-beam antenna array 202. The number ofelements (e.g., the individual signaling elements making up the antennaarray(s) in an array determines the beamwidth in azimuth and elevation.The layout of the narrow-beam patch 202 can, in some implementations,provide an (N−2)×(N−2) subset of inner antenna elements 206, which aresurrounded by a subset of outer antenna elements (i.e., those antennaelements included in the narrow-beam antenna array 202 that are notneighbored by at least four antennas).

The narrow-beam antenna array 202 and the wide-beam antenna array 214can be dual polarized antenna arrays. By being dual polarized, twodifferent radio paths can use the same array at the same time. One pathis connected to a vertical polarization feed, while the other isconnected to a horizontal polarization feed, essentially providing twoantenna arrays with one set of elements.

Signals are routed to/from the narrow-beam antenna array 202 or thewide-beam antenna array 214 via a switching pathway. The switchingpathway includes several switches 210 a-b and 212 a-b that route signalsto/from the activated antenna array. Base switches 212 a-b determinewhether the signals are routed to/from the narrow-beam array 202 or thewide-beam antenna array 214, whereas intermediary switches 210 a-b routethe signals to/from the phase shifters 208 a-b connected to thenarrow-beam antenna array 202. Although illustrated with one arrangementof switching components, it will be appreciated that various otherarrangements of switching components (including cascaded 2:1 switches)can be used to link the antenna arrays to various signaling sources.

The low side lobes formed through aggressively tapering the narrow beamprevent APs 108 in the same frequencies from detecting one another'stransmissions, even when mounted in close proximity to one another(e.g., within 50 feet). In some implementations, the side lobes have anamplitude of −30 dB relative to the main lobes of the narrow beam. Invarious examples, unequal power dividers and attenuators are used toprovide lower powered signals to the outer antenna elements of thenarrow-beam antenna array 202 than the inner antenna elements, therebyreducing the power of the side lobes relative to a main lobe. Due to thecontrol of the side lobe amplitude, the antenna segment 200 (and anyantenna array including the antenna segment 200) can omit band-passfilters 216 a-b that are typically used to increase isolation betweenco-located radios within an AP 108, although in some examples, theband-pass filters can be retained to increase co-located radioisolation.

A pair of phase shifters 208 a-b is connected to each feed of thedual-polarized narrow-beam antenna array 202, which allows for eachpolarization of the beam to be steered. These positions can include aneutral position, where no steering is applied, a positive offset fromthe neutral position in a first direction, and a negative offset fromthe neutral position in a second direction opposite to the firstdirection. In various implementations, the phase shifters 208 a-b areButler matrices, but other switched phase feed networks can be used asphase shifters 208 a-b to steer the beams in discrete increments whilemaintaining minimal side lobes. The first phase shifter 208 a steers thefirst beam for the vertical polarization by phase shifting the firstsignal across columns of the narrow-beam antenna array 202, and whereinthe second phase shifter 208 b steers the first beam for the horizontalpolarization by phase shifting the second signal across columns of thenarrow-beam antenna array 202.

In various examples, the phase shifters 208 a-b steer the narrow beam bycreating relative phase differences in the columns of the narrow-beamarray 202. For example, when steering to a positive offset, if the firstcolumn 204 a has a phase of A, the second column 204 b would have aphase of A+B where B is a fixed phase difference determined to createthe desired degrees of steering. The third column 204 c would have aphase of A+(2*B), and the fourth column 204 d would have a phase ofA+(3*B). To steer to a negative offset, if the first column 204 a has aphase of A, the second column 204 b would have a phase of A−B where B afixed phase difference determined to create the desired degrees ofsteering. The third column 204 c would have a phase of A−(2*B), and thefourth column 204 d would have a phase of A−(3*B). To remain at theneutral or zero-offset position, the phases across the columns 204 a-dare all equal.

The wide-beam antenna array 214 produces a fixed position beam (e.g.,the wide beamwidth 104 discussed in FIG. 1), whereas the narrow-beamantenna array 202 produces an electronically steerable beam (e.g., thebeam to focus on the cluster 110 a-b discussed in FIG. 1). Thenarrow-beam antenna array 202 produces a beam of a first beamwidth,which is less than the beamwidth of the beam produced by the widebeamantenna array 214. In various examples, the beamwidth of the beamproduced by the wide-beam antenna array 214 includes or encompasses allof the coverage ranges of the beam produced by the narrow-beam antennaarray 202 steered to any of the potential positions thereof.

FIG. 2B illustrates a component layout for an antenna array 220,according to examples of the present disclosure. The antenna array 220includes four instances of an antenna segment 200 a-d, as described inrelation to FIG. 2A, and an interface 218 acting as a signal source forsignals to transmit via the antenna segments 200 a-d, and may be used asa steerable and switchable antenna array for various APs 108 in LPVs102. In various examples, two or more radios are connected to theantenna segments 200 a-d (and/or alternative antennas) via the interface218.

In various examples, additional alternative antennas can also beconnected (via one or more switches) to various ports of the interface218 to allow for different frequencies, communication standards, or beampatterns to be used in the antenna array 220. For example, the antennasegments 200 a-d can operate in a first frequency bandwidth (e.g., 5GHz) from all of the radios sending signals via the ports of theinterface 218 (e.g., ports ABCD and EFGH), but additional antennas (notillustrated) connected to a subset of the ports (e.g., ports EGHG) canoperate in a second frequency bandwidth (e.g., 2.4 GHz).

Using four instances of the antenna array 220, an AP 108 is configuredto operate in a dual 4×4 Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) mode withno mutual interference between radios. Accordingly, due to the beamshaping and tapering provided by the individual antenna segments 200 a-d(e.g., precise antenna pattern with low side lobe levels), the antennaarray 220 allows for high-channel reuse in high-density applicationswhere several APs 108 are deployed with corresponding instances of theantenna array 220. Switchable beam directions allow flexibility inaligning cells in the same or adjoining coverage areas for the differentAPs 108 so that several APs 108 can be grouped closely together (e.g.,within 50 feet of one another).

FIG. 3A is a flow chart setting forth the general stages involved in amethod 300 consistent with aspects of the disclosure for providingautomatic antenna beamwidth switching and antenna beam steering in a LPVsmart antenna system. Method 300 may be implemented using computingdevice 500 (e.g., AP 108 or WLC 112) as described in more detail belowwith respect to FIG. 5. Ways to implement the stages of method 300 willbe described in greater detail below.

Method 300 may begin at starting block and proceed to stage 302, wherecomputing device 500 may directly or indirectly operate the smartantenna system 220 to generate a wide beamwidth 104. For example, LPV102 can include a wireless network 100 that may provide wireless (e.g.,Wi-Fi) coverage with the APs, e.g., APs 108 a-b, installed across theLPV 102.

Computing device 500 instructs the antenna array 220 to generate a widebeamwidth, for example, wide beamwidth 104 in the LPV 102. The computingdevice 500 can be associated with an AP 108, WLC 112, etc. The computingdevice 500 can determine or locate a cluster 110 of client devices orstations 106, including two or more stations 106 in the area covered bythe wide beamwidth 104, in stage 304. This cluster 110 can be, forexample, the high density of client devices 106 c through 106 f in asmaller area, which are may be predetermined, as shown in FIG. 1. Theseclients 106 may be within physical proximity of each other. For example,the stations 106 may all be within the range of a narrow beamwidth,which may determine the cluster area 110 a. In other implementations,the stations 106 c through 106 f may be within 20 feet, 50 feet, etc.The stations 106, in a high density cluster, may be in communicationwith the AP 108 a or AP 108 b, which may be in communication with and/orcontrolled by the WLC 112.

Upon locating the cluster 110 of client devices or stations 106 cthrough 106 f, the computing device 500 may instruct the antenna array220 to narrow the beamwidth, for example, to cover an area representedby dashed line 110, in stage 304. As narrow beamwidth may be directed atthe cluster 110 of client stations 106 c-106 f. In some implementations,there may be more than one cluster 110 of clients 106 and the antennaarray 220 may direct more than one narrow beamwidth at the differentclusters 110 of clients 106. Further, in at least some implementations,the narrow beamwidth may only be used for high density clusters ofclients 106.

The density of the cluster 110 may be indicated by the number of clientdevices 106 within the physical footprint or coverage area of the narrowbeamwidth. For example, the cluster 110 may can be considered highdensity if there are 10 or more client stations 106 within the extentsof the narrow beamwidth, if there are more than 50 client stations 106within the extents of the narrow beamwidth, if there are more than 100client stations 106 within the extents of the narrow beamwidth, etc. TheAP 108 may also steer the narrow beam to the location of the cluster110. For example, the antenna array 220 may produce the narrowbeamwidth, but may produce it in an area of the wide beamwidth 104 thatmay not be pointed at the cluster 110 of clients 106 c through 106 f.The antenna array 220, in these situations, may then steer that narrowbeamwidth to the cover the cluster 110 of clients 106.

With the narrow beamwidth, the computing device 500 may then begin toreceive Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) from at least one of the twoor more stations 106 c-106 f present in the cluster 110, in stage 306.The KPIs may be received, from the antenna array 220, and then by thecomputing device 500 associated with the AP 108 a or the WLC 112. TheKPIs may be received from uplink signals from the one or more clientstations 106 or from data or information provided by the stations 106.In other implementations, the client stations 106 c through 106 f mayreport KPIs as understood by those client stations 106 from downlinksignals from the AP 108. The KPIs can include one or more of, but arenot limited to, the client density based on a number of client devices106 connected to the AP 108 (for example, to determine AP loading and tooptimize the number of clients 106 per radio on the AP 108); the ReceiveSignal Strength Indicator (RSSI) from the signals transmitted from theclient station 106 to the receiving radio at the AP 108; a nearestclient station indicator (for example, as determined by a functionmeasuring signal arrival times from the combination of the RSSI-servingradio and auxiliary radio of the AP 108); an Angle-of-Arrival (AoA) orstation location information to locate the high density cluster 110 ofclients 106; a cell size (which may be based on the client concentrationof the cluster 110 in the channel reuse through lower side lobes of theantenna); throughput-per-radio either downlink or uplink; etc.

It may be possible in some implementations, to have the antenna array220 to narrow the beamwidth to get a more focused pattern on the cluster110. The throughput per radio can be used by the computing device 500 todetermine loading of the number clients 106 per radio at the AP 108.Other KPIs can be determined or received at the AP 108 or WLC 112. TheseKPIs may form a statistical model 400 which can be generated based onthe KPIs and the associated antenna vector, in stage 308.

An implementation of the statistical model 400 may be as shown in FIG.4A. The statistical model 400 may include one or more data structure(s)402. The data structure 402 can include an association of one or moreKPIs 410 a through 410 n with an antenna vector 412. These associationscan record changes in KPIs that may be measured at the AP 108 based onthe type of antenna vector 412 used during servicing of client devices106.

The antenna vector 412 can include a set of parameters. For example, theparameters in the antenna vector 412 can include one or more of, but isnot limited to, the type of beamwidth used by the antenna array 220, theazimuth direction of the beamwidth, and the elevation or the verticalpositioning of the beam. These different measures may form antennavector 412.

The computing device 500 can generate the statistical model 400 overtime, through a plurality of iterations, by recording changes in KPIs410, when new antenna vectors 412 are used. Further information may beincluded in the statistical model 400 as is described in conjunctionwith FIG. 4A below. Thus, using statistical learning at the computingdevice 500, the computing device 500 can create a functionalrelationship or model between the KPIs 410 and the network parameters,for example, the antenna configuration.

The model may be then used in an optimization algorithm to determine theoptimal antenna configuration for the cluster 110 or other clustersbased on factors of the environment. The model may be built overrecursive changes to the antenna configuration, and recording theconcomitant changes in KPI(s) 410. By using this model, in stage 308,the computing device can determine antenna vector(s) 412 to optimize theKPIs 410 for at least one of the two more stations 106 c-106 f in thecluster 110.

In stage 310, the computing system 500 can solve an optimization problemto determine an antenna vector 412 that is better suited to maximize orimprove some of the one or more of the measured parameters collected instage 308. For example, the optimization problem can be written as:

s=maximum f(s) subject to C _(i)(s)

In the above equation, “s” is the vector or antenna parameters that mayinclude at least the beamwidth, azimuth, and/or elevation of theantenna. The function of the equation, “f(s)”, can be one of the KPIs410, for example, throughput to one or more of the APs 108 or throughthe AP 108 to one or more of the client stations 106. The constraints,“C(i)”, can include the one or more other KPIs 410, including our RSSI,client density, or other types of constraints required or evaluated bythe AP 108. The optimization problem can be solved as an algorithmestimated from the statistical model 400. The solution process mayconsist of two phases.

The first phase may include an interpolation of the algorithm toconstruct a surrogate statistical model 400 from the noisy network data.For example, the statistical model 400 associates KPIs 410 with variousantenna vectors and can be used to interpolate or determine new datapoints that are likely based on the previously-recorded antennaparameters. In an implementation, the interpolation can be a Kriginginterpolation. Kriging interpolation is an estimation or construction ofnew data points from the discrete set of known data points in thestatistical model 400. Kriging is a method of interpolation on aGaussian process and covered by covariance. Kriging can give a linear,unbiased prediction of intermediate values, where the estimation placesan interpolation or estimation between covariance of the data. Krigingcan provide a better approximation than other types of interpolatingmethods. Upon interpolating or determining an estimation of a better orbest antenna parameter, the method may move to stage 312.

In stage 312, the computing device 500 may control the AP 108 to changeor modify the antenna state to generate the determined antenna vectorestimated from the interpolation. Thus, the antenna array 220 may changeone or more of the beamwidth, elevation, and/or azimuth to improve thefunction of the wireless service provided by the AP 108 and/or optimizeor improve the one or more other KPIs 410. Upon obtaining or determiningthe new determined antenna vector, the AP 108 may begin to receive newor changed KPIs 410 from the one or more client stations 106. These newKPIs 410 may then be used to update the statistical model 400 and thedetermination of a next antenna vector may proceed in an iterativeprocess. Thus, the modification of the antenna vector can generate a newor updated statistical model 400 that can then be evaluated to estimatea new azimuth, elevation, beamwidth, etc. for the antenna that maybetter optimize the function, f(s), and, possibly, the other constraintsand/or KPIs 410.

The optimization problem described above can be solved per AP 108 or canbe solved by the WLC 112 for two or more APs 108. The WLC 112 canoptimize antenna vectors 412 for two or more APs 108 a, 108 b and/oracross and the LPV 102 or over a portion of the LPV 102. Thus, a WLC 212can determine or create a statistical model 400 for the two or more APs108 within the wireless environment 100. From the statistical model 400,the WLC 212 can determine antenna states for two or more APs 108 tooptimize KPIs 410 in one or more client stations 106 and to determinewhich APs 108 should service the various client clusters 110. Thus, thestatistical model 400 created by the WLC 112 may also indicate which AP108 was servicing the cluster 110.

In some implementations, the number of antenna states available to bechanged or used in the optimization problem may be limited. For example,there may only be four different types of antenna states, as provided indata structure 422 of FIG. 4B. These limited antenna states allow forquicker resolution of the optimization problem and for reducing the sizeof the statistical model 400.

For example, the limited or predetermined number of antenna states orvectors may have a first state 424 a, a second state 424 b, a thirdstate 424 c, and/or a fourth state 424 d. The first state 424 a mayinclude a large beamwidth, e.g., a 70° beamwidth 426 a, which providesthe beamwidth 104 as is shown in FIG. 1. The second state 424 b caninclude a 25° boresight beamwidth 426 b, which can change the beamwidthto that as shown with dashed line 110 in FIG. 1. The third state 424 ccan include a change in elevation from 0° to −10° 426 c. A fourth state424 d may include a change in beam elevation to positive 10° from anelevation of 0° 426 d.

Another part of the antenna state can include the azimuth of the beam,which may be provided within the entire 360° range of the AP 108 and, insome implementations may be not part of the limited antenna states shownin data structure 422. It is possible that the limited antenna statesmay have more or fewer than four antenna states as shown in FIG. 4B, asis represented by ellipses 428. The four antenna states may be used tolimit the time to determine or resolve the optimization problem andlimit or reduce the amount of data that may be provided in the antennavectors 412, and thus, the data associated therewith in the datastructure of the statistical model 400.

If the computing system 500 is to determine optimization on a per AP 108basis. The solutions may be selected to guarantee that the beamwidthwill not degrade the performance of other APs 108 of the wirelessnetwork 100, with respect to Radio Resource Management (RRM). As such,the AP 108 may report the determined antenna parameters to the WLC 112,which may provide feedback as to whether that antenna state isacceptable within the wireless network 100. In other implementations,the AP 108 may determine, based on instructions or other information,sent from the WLC 112, if the optimized or determined antenna state maybe acceptable within the wireless network 100.

Other types of antenna parameters that may be provided in the antennastates include one or more of, but is not limited to, the azimuth towhich the antenna was steered, which may be plus or minus 10°, 20°, 40°,etc. Further, the antenna state may include the gain, the configurationof load, and the configuration of sidelobes for channel reuse, clientdensity, or other types of antenna configurations. Thus, the output ofthe optimization problem, provided in stage 310 may be one of thedefined states in data structure 422.

The statistical data 400 may be as shown in FIG. 4A, which can includemore or fewer fields than that shown in FIG. 4A, as represented byellipses 418. Further, there may be more or fewer different datastructures or data elements 402 representing different data produced bydifferent antenna vectors 412 at different times than those shown inFIG. 4A, as is represented by ellipses 420. There may be one or moreKPIs 410 associated with each antenna vector 412, and thus, there may bemore KPIs 410 than those shown in data element 402, as is represented bythe ellipses 411 between the KPIs 410 a and 410 n. In someimplementations, each AP 108 may store the statistical data 400; inother implementations, the statistical data 400 may be stored at acommon location, e.g., the WLC, a cloud storage location, etc.

The data element 402 can include one or more portions, for example, aday and/or time field 404, an event field 406, an event time field 408,one or more KPIs 410 a through 410 n, the antenna vector 412, one ormore thresholds 414, and/or one or more statistics 416. The day/timefield 404 can provide a date and/or time for when the measurements,statistics, and/or KPIs 410 are recorded. The event field 406 can recordthe type of event that was being held in the LPV 102, for example, afootball game, a basketball game, a firework show, etc. The type ofevent 406 may allow for better optimization of future estimationproblems which are based on similar events. The event time 408 caninclude, for example, a start time, a stop time, and/or another time ofthe event having the event type stored in the field 408. Thus, insteadof simply a day/time measurement, as provided in field 404, the eventtime 408 can be based off a start time of event and provides how manyminutes, hours, etc., into the event this measurement of KPIs 410 wasrecorded. For example, the event time 408 can be one hour and 15 minutesfrom the beginning of the event.

Data elements 402 can record one or more KPIs 410 a through 410 n. TheKPIs 410 may be as explained previously and can include one or more of,but is not limited to, client density, the RSSI, AoA, results of locatefunctions, the cell size, the throughput, or other types of measurementsor determinations. Each of these measurements, calculations, and/ordeterminations may be recorded in one or more of the KPI fields 410 athrough 410 n.

The antenna vector 412 can include one or more of, but is not limitedto, the beamwidth, the beam azimuth, the beam elevation measurements forthe antenna state at the time when the KPIs 410 are recorded. Theantenna vector 412 can be one of the limited states, as provided in datastructure 422. In other implementations, antenna vector 412 can includean unlimited number of states based on or constrained only by the numberof combinations of beamwidth, azimuth, elevation, or other factorsassociated with the antenna.

The thresholds data 414 can include one or more thresholds that, whencrossed, can indicate a change in the wireless environment 100 isoccurring and a new antenna vector or parameter may be needed tocontinue to optimize the function. For example, if the optimizationproblem is solved based on throughput of one or more of the clientdevices 106 or APs 108, the threshold 414 may be based on an amount ofthroughput. Once the amount of throughput crosses the threshold 414, anew estimation or optimization may be completed. For example, if thethroughput threshold is one Gbyte of data per minute, then droppingbelow the threshold triggers a new optimization solution.

One or more statistics 416 can include other statistics that may not bepart of the KPIs 410. The statistics 416 can include one or more of, butis not limited to, attendance at the event, the number of empty seats atthe event, the seating arrangement of the event, the types of devicesused during the event, or other such information. The statistics 416 mayallow for even better or more useful optimizations that are not simplybased on KPIs 410 but can include other information.

Another method 315 for determining antenna configuration changes may beas shown in FIG. 3B. In the method of FIG. 3B, in stage 314, thecomputing system 500 can compare the KPIs 410 or other data currentlybeing received at an AP 108 to one or more thresholds 414. If the KPIs410 or other information has not crossed a threshold 414, the antennaconfiguration or vector may stay unchanged. If the KPIs 410 of theclients 106 do change and one or more KPIs 410 cross a threshold 414, instage 316, the method, of FIG. 3B, may proceed “YES” to stage 318.However, if no KPI 410 or only some portion KPIs 410 have crossed thethreshold 414, then the method may proceed “NO” back to stage 314.

In stage 318, the computing system 500 can again reevaluate thestatistical model 400 for the KPIs 410 associated with the antenna statethreshold 414. In stage 318, the evaluation of the optimization problemmay be the same or similar to that optimization solved in stage 310 forone or more the clients 106 within the LPV 102. The optimization problemmay again change the antenna vector for one or more of the APs 108. Insome implementations, the change in antenna vector 412 may be determinednot to improve the KPI 410, and the new antenna vector is not deployed.

However, when the new antenna state does improve the KPIs 410 orfunction f(s), the computing system 500 can instruct the antenna array220 of the AP 108 to change the antenna state to improve the reevaluatedKPI(s) 410. Thus, in stage 320, the AP 108 can change to a differentantenna state, such as antenna state 426 d. This change in antenna statecan then be reevaluated or re-determined if the KPIs 410 are improvedand the KPIs 410 are currently within the threshold or limits providedby thresholds 414. In this way, there may be constant updating of theantenna state. This improvement of or constant evaluation of the antennastate and the KPIs 410 ensures that when conditions change, in the LPV102, APs 108 can adjust to ensure the best service to the clientstations 106.

FIG. 5 shows computing device 500. As shown in FIG. 5, computing device500 may include a processing unit 510 and a memory unit 515. Memory unit515 may include a software module 520 and a database 525. Whileexecuting on processing unit 510, software module 520 may perform, forexample, processes for providing load balancing for saturated wirelessas described above with respect to FIG. 2. Computing device 500, forexample, may provide an operating environment for WLAN Controller 112,first AP 108 a, second AP 108 b, devices 106 a-106 f, AP antenna segment200, or AP antenna array 220. WLAN Controller 112, first AP 108 a,second AP 108 b, devices 106 a-106 f AP antenna segment 200, or APantenna array 220 may operate in other environments and are not limitedto computing device 500.

Computing device 500 may be implemented using a Wi-Fi access point, acellular base station, a tablet device, a mobile device, a smart phone,a telephone, a remote control device, a set-top box, a digital videorecorder, a cable modem, a personal computer, a network computer, amainframe, a router, a switch, a server cluster, a smart TV-like device,a network storage device, a network relay devices, or other similarmicrocomputer-based device. Computing device 500 may comprise anycomputer operating environment, such as hand-held devices,multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable senderelectronic devices, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like.Computing device 500 may also be practiced in distributed computingenvironments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices. Theaforementioned systems and devices are examples and computing device 500may comprise other systems or devices.

The methods and systems here have distinct advantages and allow fordifferent types of improved services for client stations 106. Forexample, there may be optimal allocation of beamwidth and service tocertain clients 106 that may be associated with particular data rates.For example, clients 106 that have paid for requested higher data ratesor spatial streams may receive better service. Further, devices that usehigher data rates or different spatial streams, for example, clientdevices 106 using Wi-Fi 802.11ax versus 802.11ac or 802.11an may receivebetter service as provided by such improved wireless standard. For theVIP clients 106 that may be seated in the front row of the LPV andrequested better Quality Of Service (QOS), the system can provide betterbeamwidth and beam steering to improve KPIs 410 and ensure better packetcapture. Thus, the APs, within the LPV, can service different clients106 differently and provide optimized service for some clients 106 basedon need, client density, or the ability of the client devices 106.

Example of the disclosure, for example, may be implemented as a computerprocess (method), a computing system, or as an article of manufacture,such as a computer program product or computer readable media. Thecomputer program product may be a computer storage media readable by acomputer system and encoding a computer program of instructions forexecuting a computer process. The computer program product may also be apropagated signal on a carrier readable by a computing system andencoding a computer program of instructions for executing a computerprocess. Accordingly, the present disclosure may be embodied in hardwareand/or in software (including firmware, resident software, micro-code,etc.). In other words, example of the present disclosure may take theform of a computer program product on a computer-usable orcomputer-readable storage medium having computer-usable orcomputer-readable program code embodied in the medium for use by or inconnection with an instruction execution system. A computer-usable orcomputer-readable medium may be any medium that can contain, store,communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or inconnection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

The computer-usable or computer-readable medium may be, for example butnot limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic,infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, device, or propagationmedium. More specific computer-readable medium examples (anon-exhaustive list), the computer-readable medium may include thefollowing: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portablecomputer diskette, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory(ROM), an Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM or Flashmemory), an optical fiber, and a portable Compact Disc Read-Only Memory(CD-ROM). Note that the computer-usable or computer-readable mediumcould even be paper or another suitable medium upon which the program isprinted, as the program can be electronically captured, via, forinstance, optical scanning of the paper or other medium, then compiled,interpreted, or otherwise processed in a suitable manner, if necessary,and then stored in a computer memory.

While certain example of the disclosure have been described, otherexample may exist. Furthermore, although example of the presentdisclosure have been described as being associated with data stored inmemory and other storage mediums, data can also be stored on or readfrom other types of computer-readable media, such as secondary storagedevices, like hard disks, floppy disks, or a CD-ROM, a carrier wave fromthe Internet, or other forms of RAM or ROM. Further, the disclosedmethods' stages may be modified in any manner, including by reorderingstages and/or inserting or deleting stages, without departing from thedisclosure.

Furthermore, example of the disclosure may be practiced in an electricalcircuit comprising discrete electronic elements, packaged or integratedelectronic chips containing logic gates, a circuit utilizing amicroprocessor, or on a single chip containing electronic elements ormicroprocessors. Example of the disclosure may also be practiced usingother technologies capable of performing logical operations such as, forexample, AND, OR, and NOT, including but not limited to, mechanical,optical, fluidic, and quantum technologies. In addition, example of thedisclosure may be practiced within a general purpose computer or in anyother circuits or systems.

Example of the disclosure may be practiced via a SOC where each or manyof the element illustrated in FIG. 1 may be integrated onto a singleintegrated circuit. Such a SOC device may include one or more processingunits, graphics units, communications units, system virtualization unitsand various application functionality all of which may be integrated (or“burned”) onto the chip substrate as a single integrated circuit. Whenoperating via an SOC, the functionality described herein with respect toexample of the disclosure, may be performed via application-specificlogic integrated with other components of computing device 500 on thesingle integrated circuit (chip).

Example of the present disclosure, for example, are described above withreference to block diagrams and/or operational illustrations of methods,systems, and computer program products according to example of thedisclosure. The functions/acts noted in the blocks may occur out of theorder as shown in any flowchart. For example, two blocks shown insuccession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or theblocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending uponthe functionality/acts involved.

While the specification includes examples, the disclosure's scope isindicated by the following claims. Furthermore, while the specificationhas been described in language specific to structural features and/ormethodological acts, the claims are not limited to the features or actsdescribed above. Rather, the specific features and acts described aboveare disclosed as example for example of the disclosure.

1. A method comprising: generating a wide beamwidth, from an antennaarray of an Access Point (AP), to locate a cluster of two or morestations; upon locating the cluster, narrowing the wide beamwidth to anarrower beamwidth; with the narrower beamwidth, receiving, by acomputing device, a key performance indicator (KPI) from at least one ofthe two or more stations; generating a statistical model, based on theKPI and an antenna vector of the antenna array; based on the statisticalmodel, determining a second antenna vector to optimize the KPI for theat least one of the two or more stations; and modifying antenna state togenerate the second antenna vector.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereinthe second antenna vector includes one or more of a beamwidth, anazimuth, and/or an elevation.
 3. The method of claim 1, whereindetermining the second antenna vector comprises solving an optimizationproblem associated with an optimization function.
 4. The method of claim3, wherein solving the optimization problem associated with theoptimization function comprising interpolating the second antenna vectorbased on the statistical model.
 5. The method of claim 4, whereininterpolating the second antenna vector comprises Kriging interpolation.6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second antenna vector is limitedto a predetermined number of antenna vectors.
 7. The method of claim 6,wherein the predetermined number of antenna vectors comprises fourantenna vectors, and wherein the four states are a 70° beamwidth, 25°boresight beamwidth, a 25° beamwidth at −10° elevation, and a 25°beamwidth at +10° elevation.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein thesecond antenna vector improves allocation of the two or more stationshaving a predetermined data rate requirement or improves service to atleast a subset of the two or more stations.
 9. The method of claim 1,further comprising: determining a change in a wireless environmentcomprising the two or more stations; and based on the change,determining a third antenna vector.
 10. The method of claim 9, whereindetermining the change comprises comparing at least one KPI to athreshold.
 11. A system comprising: a memory; and a processing unitcoupled to the memory, wherein the processing unit is operative to:generate a wide beamwidth, from an antenna array of an Access Point(AP), to locate a cluster of two or more stations; upon locating thecluster, narrow the wide beamwidth to a narrower beamwidth; with thenarrower beamwidth, receive a key performance indicator (KPI) from atleast one of the two or more stations; generate a statistical model,based on the KPI and an antenna vector of the antenna array; based onthe statistical model, determine a second antenna vector to optimize theKPI for the at least one of the two or more stations; and modify antennastate to generate the second antenna vector.
 12. The system of claim 11,wherein the second antenna vector includes one or more of a beamwidth,an azimuth, and/or an elevation.
 13. The system of claim 11, whereindetermining a second antenna vector comprises solving an optimizationproblem associated with an optimization function, wherein solving theoptimization problem associated with the optimization functioncomprising interpolating the second antenna vector based on thestatistical model.
 14. The system of claim 11, wherein the KPI includesone or more of client density, Received Signal Strength Indicator(RSSI), Angle Of Arrival (AOA), a result of a fast locate function, acell size, and/or a Throughput (TP)-per radio.
 15. The system of claim11, wherein the processing unit is further operative to: determine achange in a wireless environment comprising the two or more stations;and based on the change, determine a third antenna vector.
 16. Anon-transitory computer-readable medium that stores a set ofinstructions which when executed perform a method executed by the set ofinstructions comprising: generating a wide beamwidth, from an antennaarray of an Access Point (AP), to locate a cluster of two or morestations; upon locating the cluster, narrowing the wide beamwidth to anarrower beamwidth; with the narrower beamwidth, receiving, by acomputing device, a key performance indicator (KPI) from at least one ofthe two or more stations; generating a statistical model, based on theKPI and an antenna vector of the antenna array; based on the statisticalmodel, determining a second antenna vector to optimize the KPI for theat least one of the two or more stations; and modifying antenna state togenerate the second antenna vector.
 17. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the method furthercomprises: determining a change in a wireless environment comprising thetwo or more stations; and based on the change, determining a thirdantenna vector.
 18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim17, wherein determining the change comprises comparing at least one KPIto a threshold.
 19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim16, wherein the second antenna vector is limited to a predeterminednumber of antenna vectors.
 20. The non-transitory computer-readablemedium of claim 19, wherein the predetermined number of antenna vectorscomprises four antenna vectors, and wherein the four states are a 70°beamwidth, 25° boresight beamwidth, a 25° beamwidth at −10° elevation,and a 25° beamwidth at +10° elevation.